While global demand for food is expected to increase significantly (70% by 2050), the agricultural industry is suffering from a decline in soil fertility, the adverse effects of climate change and the high cost of agrochemicals. Therefore food security is in danger. A need arises for sustainable agriculture methods that complement contemporary farming. Harnessing natural resources – particularly, plant and soil microbiomes – has the potential to enable the agricultural industry to remain profitable while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. However, technical, translational and policy challenges must first be addressed. The presentation will identify these challenges and will propose a framework to solve them,  highlighting the critical role of the Global Initiative of Crop Microbiome as well as sustainable agriculture to bring together global expertise to address key challenges and to deliver on the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the challenges to respond to an increase in global demand for food and fiber

2. Identify the need to harness natural resources to combine food security and sustainability

3. Discuss the critical role of the Global Crop Microbiome initiative